(amoxicillin?) The Pros of Antibiotic Injections for Cats. Yes and no. The ideal way to give the oral suspension amoxicillin is to provide it by the syringe in the mouth. All antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections and amoxicillin is no exception. The liquid form typically needs to be refrigerated. If so, your veterinarian may have prescribed antibiotics. Question 3: Did last years vet proceed dangerously not recommending a 12 hour fast, or is there a technology they utilized to prevent potential choking from vomiting of Willy? This antibiotic has been around for a long time and is very effective against many types of bacteria. Having a 6 month old kitten that is less than 2 pounds is certainly something to be concerned about but unfortunately there really could be a number of things contributing to your little kittens condition. However, overdosing or giving it incorrectly is toxic for the felines. Amoxicillin is used to treat many feline health issues, but the most common problems in which veterinarians often prescribe the medicine off-label are listed below. In immunocompromised people, this infection can be fatal. I clipped my cats claw to deep now it seems infected and is swollen I have been cleaning and wrapping it some times it looks to be getting better then it doesnt A Vet is out of the question as they charge to much up front and wont do payment plans Can I give him a small dose of amoxicillin? Amoxicillin typically comes in both a liquid form as an oral suspension as well as tablet form. Dosage Chart by Weight, Dexamethasone Injection for Cats Dosage Chart & Uses, Safe Gabapentin For Cats Dosage Chart | Dose Calculator, Pyrantel Pamoate Dosage for cats Safe Dose Chart, Why Do Cats Tails Puff Up When Happy? It would be much too high a dose and because of how it kills bacteria and works in the body, must be given at least twice a day for several days at least. display: inline-block; And get this they're legally enjoined to do so regardless of the manufacturer's expiration dates. There are also other formulations, such as Clavamox. One of the most common injuries seen in these kitties are abscesses because bacteria gets trapped under the skin from the other cat's tooth or nail. As far as fasting goes, many vets would agree its a standard of care to have patients fasted for 12 hours prior to any anesthetic procedure. No matter whether it is given orally or topically, tetracycline destroys bacterial infections. This article is purely informative. This is like you getting a sinus infection is often more likely than bronchitis. And it's not consumer friendly. It's the exact same medication. So your vet will be careful about the dose they give you for your cat. Regular use of probiotics for cats can prevent digestive issues and ease symptoms like vomiting, stomach irritation, constipation, and diarrhea. If your vet mixes the liquid and says it expires in 7 or 14 days then Id honor that. No But then, I've only ever prescribed Epi-pens for three patients. Praziquantel will kill them with one dose. They can come as tablets, in liquid form, drops, cream or an injection. A huge animal lover, born and raised around dogs, cats, chickens WebAntibiotics for cats. Inappropriateness Even a medication that was once prescribed to an individual pet may no longer be appropriate. The labelled dosage of Clavamox for UTI in cats is 62.5 mg per cat twice daily for 10-14 days. font-size: 14px; Dr. Chris Vanderhoof is a 2013 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM) at Virginia Tech, where he also earned a Masters in Public Health. Do you need to toss all those partially used medications you have stashed in your pets medical supplies? Amoxicillin For Cats Usage, Dosages And Side Effects, Buprenex For Cats - Usage, Dosage and Side Effects, Melatonin for Cats Uses And Potential Side Effects, Are Laser Pointers Bad For Cats? Read between the lines some more: Limiting the expiration date is an easily defensible way to encourage more drug sales. Independence America Holdings Corp. All Rights Reserved. It has been opined that a significant percentage of humanity are infected, without overt signs or symptoms. Scheduling an appointment with your vet would be the best thing to do here. Thank you. Yes and no. As mentioned before, amoxicillin isn't used in cases where viruses or fungal infections are suspected. To ensure that your cat swallows all of the medication, it is best to mix it into a small amount of canned food that you feed by hand, rather than mixing it into a full bowl of food that the cat may not completely eat. There are various reasons why. Given the wide spectrum of applications, it can be used to treat a wide range of infections. Are they still good? In fact, rhinotracheitis is particular prevalent in kittens. Answer: Only if Approved by Your Vet Amoxicillin specifically targets certain strains of bacteria and therefore is not prescribed for all kinds of infections. If no date can be found, it is safest to consider a medication expired six months after being dispensed. This medication is costly. It can also cause bacterial resistance to develop. Here is some information about the expirations of some medications types: The expiration of a medication varies based on several factors including the type of medication and the manufacturer. Yes and no. Cats are prone to contracting bacterial, fungal or viral diseases that left untreated can lead to significant health complications. These skin infections can be very painful. You might need to repeat blood tests to check for this type of disease process. Changes in health status, other concurrent conditions, and the addition of new medications or supplements could make an old prescription inappropriate. } There are a wide variety of antibiotics that might be used, and one of the most common is amoxicillin. But blood tests only reveal evidence of kidney failure in pets once 72% or more of the kidneys have been lost. Allergic reactions are not as common as with people. It is not worth the risk of a reaction or problem from using expired medications. Answer: Only if Approved by Your Vet Amoxicillin specifically targets certain strains of bacteria and therefore is not prescribed for all kinds of infections. The best thing is to have your kitty checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible. If your veterinarian doesn't have it in stock, they may write a prescription. Regular use of probiotics for cats can prevent digestive issues and ease symptoms like vomiting, stomach irritation, constipation, and diarrhea. Prescription medications are no different. WebAntibiotics for cats. Salivation in excess. Most vets call for a dose every 8-12 hours. Because amoxicillin-clavulanate, commonly known as the brand Clavamox, has a broader spectrum of action against some bacteria, it is more commonly used than regular amoxicillin, especially for cats. So I take care of an outdoor cat, I always feed him form my food not wet or canned, he is 10 months old, When we dispense a medication for your pet, an expiration date is also printed on the prescription label. The blood work-up was normal. This vet did advise us to do Willys 12 hour fast. The same basic effects of the drug work on cats and can be used to treat a wide variety of ailments, which we detail below. The ideal and safe dosage of Amoxicillin tablet for cats is 5-10 mg/lb or 10-15 mg/kg, and liquid oral suspension is 2-9 ml/lb every 12-24 hours. This article is a complete and comprehensive guide about the use of Amoxicillin(Aminopenicillin) for felines. Amoxicillin and Augmentin (Clavamox) are my 1st go to antibiotic. Prescription Required? Furthermore, Amoxicillin is only effective for specific bacteria. 01.30.2018 by However, it is possible some digestive disturbances might arise such as diarrhea and vomiting or even appetite loss. Can I Give My Cat Amoxicillin? All medications that we prescribe to our patients come with an expiration date. Your email address will not be published. If you have been a pet medication hoarder, you likely have a pile of stuff to trash at this point. The reason is that it will lose its potency over time, and it may even cause your symptoms to worsen. Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. But blood tests only reveal evidence of kidney failure in pets once 72% or more of the kidneys have been lost. Most oral pills or capsules expire in 1 to 2 years from date of manufacturing. Common illnesses in which Amoxicillin is given to cats are: Every medicine include antibiotic may have mild to severe side effects. Make sure to talk to your veterinarian about any signs or problems you might be seeing. They can also be seen on or in the stool. Abscesses are swollen regions of infected tissue within a pet or person. No matter whether it is given orally or topically, tetracycline destroys bacterial infections. Our customer service department gets a lot of emails from cat lovers about every type of question you can imagine about cats. Amoxicillin is a highly effective antibiotic, but it will not work as well after its expiration date if you have already taken it. Today it isn't used as commonly. As a bactericidal antibiotic, amoxicillin works to kill bacteria associated with upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and more. However, if your furry friend is the type that will eat everything in the bowl but the tablet and leave it at the bottom, you may need to consider liquid if you are not adept at administering a pill directly into your cats mouth for her to swallow it. Antibiotics are slowly losing their effectiveness, this is called antibiotic resistance. If your vet is truly not accessible for two weeks, and especially if signs of urinary irritation or pain are present, I would highly suggest looking into other nearby practices that have openings in the meantime as soon as possible or any urgent care/ER locations that could see you and your cat sooner. However, there are a few liquid medications that are less stable if refrigerated and they should clearly say so on the package. Amoxicillin for cats Dosage Chart by weight. I need to do something instead of waiting till next week. Amoxicillin is a gram-positive antibiotic medicine that helps your cat fight against certain bacterial infections such as UTI and bladder infections, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal infections, and skin-related issues in felines. I cant comment more as its impossible for me to know if this is a typical delay in healing that can be seen with nail trauma even without infection present, or something more concerning. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. In cats, amoxicillin treatments will usually last between five and seven days, although they can be more prolonged depending on the extent of the infection. A much more serious parasitic worm is Toxoplasma gondii, the infection of which being called toxoplasmosis. The honest answer isprobably most oral pill or capsule medications are good for longer than their expiration dates. WebIf you still have a to wait a few days to see the vet I would go to a local pet store and find some probiotics or Bene-Bac to add to what he's eating It'll help provide beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract that may have been lost due to the over use of antibiotics, this is probably causing the loose stool, but a vet would dive deeper into If your January purge includes decluttering your medicine cabinet, you might find yourself wondering how important those dates stamped on various pharmaceuticals really are. You might need to repeat blood tests to check for this type of disease process. Recently, they forwarded some emails they thought were suited to me, the Irreverent Veterinarian. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that is related to penicillin. I dont want my cat to develop urosepsis. You might be wondering about the amoxicillin dosage for cats. The most common potential side effects are gastrointestinal problems. If your vet mixes the liquid and says it expires in 7 or 14 days then Id honor that. Phone: (704)3344684 Avoid breathing litter dust to protect yourself. Knowing about the safe Amoxicillin dosage for cats is essential for every pet owner. Therefore, its always important for a vet to decide if use of an antibiotic is warranted. Amoxicillin is one of the oldest, tried and true antibiotics we have and although newer antibiotic classes have been developed, amoxicillin still has valuable clinical uses. This is a problem in both human and veterinary medicine. background: #fcb040; If your kitty is dealing with a very concerning infection, your vet may, for example, recommend starting a probiotic as opposed to discontinuing an antibiotic. For two reasons, the former employee explained: 1. If your kitty will take a pill mixed with or hidden in food or a treat, this is often easiest and involves the least amount of struggle. To the rare kitty this might happen with, these effects would occur with even a very small dose. Do not overdose on the medicine. However, this dosage is generally no longer considered in veterinary medicine to be effective for most infections. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic called an aminopenicillin. However, some vets may adjust this based on their own discretion, which may depend on a patients age and any prior health history. However, if there is no color or odor change and it is a few days beyond that date it is probably okay. But then, there are plenty of times I'll ask an owner to stop a med and start it again. You should inform your vet about any allergies your cat may have, especially if you know your cat to be allergic to any drugs. Therefore it is a common mistake to search for information on the dose of amoxicillin required for a cat and then administer it to them straightaway, because:. It can also be helpful to discuss diet and nutrition as well. DONT start using an antibiotic you happen to have left over from the last time. As far as the anti-inflammatories for 3 days goes, there may be no right or wrong answer there. border-bottom: 3px solid #fcb040; Yes and no. If your vet mixes the liquid and says it expires in 7 or 14 days then Id honor that. It also belongs to a group of antibiotics known as aminopenicillins and their effect is bactericidal, killing a large range of bacteria, but not all of them. Share Improve this answer Follow answered Apr 22, 2017 at 17:55 Harry V. 5,989 2 16 35 How much Amoxicillin is In your experience, does this seem unnecessary and far afield? Make sure to follow your veterinarians prescription to avoid health complications. I dont know. } For more information, or to ask about an expired veterinary medication, please call us. With Amoxicillin taking expired ones would just mean they might not work, other antibiotics, like the tetracyclines can actually cause kidney damage if they are old. Amoxicillin administered to humans is very different from the veterinary formulation.This variation arises from the chemical components used in making human-grade amoxicillin that can be toxic to canines.These chemicals include Amoxicillin is a type of broad-spectrum beta-lactam (-lactam) antibiotic, types of antibiotics which contain a common type of organic compound. They can come as tablets, in liquid form, drops, cream or an injection. Every feline medication needs proper administration. As you can see, it is vital we pay attention to the directives of the veterinarian. Generally, an antibiotic injection is fast acting, which means it might help your pet feel better soon after she receives the shot. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. margin: 0 auto; -Urine does not have the strong urea smell or discoloration It does so by blocking bacteria's protein-creating process, a process on which the bacteria depend for survival. | Powered by WordPress. In any case, when no improvement is seen after the first few days of treatment, the veterinarian needs to be informed. Yes, in an ideal and safe dose Amoxicillin is safe for your cat. However, since kittens are vulnerable and are yet to establish a clinical history, a veterinarian will need to determine the right course of action. Antibiotics are slowly losing their effectiveness, this is called antibiotic resistance. There are liquid medications (such as insulin) that are made in smaller vials so if you are using small quantities in a month consider asking the pharmacist if it is available in smaller portions (which are generally less expensive) to minimize waste. flex-wrap: wrap; color: #fff; Thank god his appetite is very good and he eats everything so the infection is not affecting his eating. Liquid and other mixed prescriptions should be discarded after two weeks. No matter whether it is given orally or topically, tetracycline destroys bacterial infections. This makes it more important to keep close tabs on the the expiration date. If a medication is past the expiration date determined by the manufacturer, it is best not to use it. Keeping lids sealed to prevent air exposure and moisture contamination is important, as well. However, if a cat were to get into and consume an amount of amoxicillin much higher than a typically prescribed dosage, like say, a 500mg human tablet, severe digestive upset may occur. Obviously for very small or very large cats this dose needs to be adjusted at a veterinarian's recommendation. Most people have been on antibiotics at some point, as well. Because there are many antibiotics out there, a veterinarian should always be responsible for deciding which one is best to use for a particular patient. He completed a rotating internship with Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey and now works as a general practitioner in the Washington D.C. area. This antibiotic drug binds directly to certain parts of the cell membrane that are infected by bacteria and fight to stop and inhibit the development of the cell wall and thus weaken the kills staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria stability and kill them. Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic does not provide any veterinary medical services or guidance via the Internet. This last is the part that can be hard to determine with many products. It is not used as a first line of treatment unless the infection is far gone or the risk for infection (for example after surgery) is very high. This could mean that if one of the kitties truly became ill, a medication like Amoxi-Drops or Clavamox may not be as effective as it would otherwise be. Symptoms usually end when administration does. While some medications may change color or texture, this does not always happen. Animal Medical Hospital, Animal Medical Hospital and 24 Hour Urgent Care. text-align: center; As you alluded to, this is primarily to reduce the risk of regurgitation or aspiration during a procedure, since the pet cannot swallow on their own. Cats can be given amoxicillin. Those outdoor kitties need our help too. Why? However, overdosing or giving it incorrectly is toxic for the felines. Amoxicillin is a broad spectrum antibiotic, font-size: 24px; The most common form given to cats is the liquid suspension or the tablets, both in specific veterinary preparations. Read more here. Also, like I said, last years vet didnt have us do a 12 hr fast for Willys dental cleaning. Get it on Chewy Clavamox (Amoxicillin + Clavulanic Acid). .table-footer{ You have half a tube of ointment from that one time Fluffy had an ear infection, a few pills rattling around from when she was so itchy last summer, and almost a full bottle of some type of pain pill from the time she sprained a paw. The liquid is a 62.5 milligrams per milliliter suspension. Urinary tract infections can plague some cats. Should I be doing this because it takes care of their worms. Although you have treated for some worms, there is no catch-all dewormer. As such, amoxicillin is readily prescribed for some very common maladies. It is indeed possible to give amoxicillin to kittens or young cats for the pathologies mentioned above. .medication-table{ I would suggest seeing if your vet could at least consult with you by phone to discuss these signs and concerns more and they may be able to provide you with accurate dosing if appropriate. The best I could suggest generally for something like that is to use very dilute chlorhexidine as a soak for 5-10 minutes at least twice a day. It is important to keep in mind that some infections may not be bacterial. Therefore, probiotics for cats also help support healthier immunity. Only give the safe and ideal dose by weight or as prescribed by your veterinarian. Not active at all. Most liquid medications that are not reconstituted also have a shelf life of 1 to 2 years but once reconstituted (mixed with water such as powered amoxicillin is mixed with water) most expire in about 7 to 14 days depending on the specific product. That's wasteful! font-size: 20px!important; The more bacterial resistance increases as a society, the more powerful antibiotics need to be. She has also been grunting a lot. That is the safest way to ensure that the medication is stable. Amoxicillin usually comes in both pills and liquid suspension forms. Doing so frequently can make the medication ineffective. Always make sure to give an antibiotic prescribed by your vet for the full number of days indicated, even if your kitty looks like hes feeling better. However, overdosing or giving it incorrectly is toxic for the felines. Amoxicillin has a wide dosage range. However, some veterinarians may prescribe every 8-10 hours. It is not appropriate to medicate the cat with amoxicillin of our own volition. But this is Due to this, antibiotics are only prescribed by vets if it is absolutely necessary and other medical options have been exhausted. We just got our cat,Willy, back from the vet for a dental cleaning. Longer than 2 years, then Id replace. Hope I did the right thing. I poured 90% of the capsule out and she swallowed the other 10%. Yes I always encourage folks to reach out to their own veterinarian if there are specific questions about the rationale for certain testing, treatments, or care. -Has large urinary output + sometimes has a hard time holding it in (had a few accidents) This type of antibiotic for cats is also used in the treatment of urogenital problems, often affecting males due to their protruding genitals. My Dog Keeps Licking Her Private Area - All Possible Reasons, My Dog's Poop Starts Solid Then Goes Soft. Required fields are marked *. Because people probably store animal medications even more carelessly than their own, and 2. While there are many medicines suitable for human use which are unsuitable for cats, amoxicillin is not one of them. Since every cat is an individual, each cat will respond differently to amoxicillin. - Uses, Dosage and Side Effects, we recommend you visit our Medicine category. Your Veterinarian can better decide about the safe dose of any medication, including Amoxicillin for cats, after observing your feline physically. .medication-table .table-row .item{ In veterinary medicine, the most common forms are liquid and pills. Make sure to follow your veterinarians prescription to avoid health complications. Of course, if a cat has previously shown to have an allergic reaction to amoxicillin, it should be not administered again. Can your kitty take it (2.5 minutes read), Best practices for amoxicillin usage (1 minute read). Which is why I took a look at a local hospital's Rx labels (from a patient who had been transferred that morning). In that case, you can skip the missed dose. There is also tetracycline ointment for cats. Keflex is the antibiotic of choice, but Ill guess your cat is a male. .table-footer a{ CANT FIND A VET NEAR ME TO LOOK AT MY KITTEN I HAVE SEVERAL OF THEM MOST ARE FERRAL THEY HAVE COLDS SMUCKED EYES AND STUFFED AND RUNNING NOSE AMOXICILION WOULD HELP THEM BUT CANT GET ANY HOW DO I TREAT THEM THEY KEEP GETTING WORSE THERE GOING TO DIE IF I DONT GET SUM HELP CALLED THREE DIFFERENT VETS WONT CALL BACK.